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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Gilgamesh and Enkidu do after killing the bull of heaven?

2. What does Enkidu throw at Ishtar?

3. Why does Gilgamesh say his appearance is so ragged?

4. How many poles does Gilgamesh use to push the boat across the sea?

5. Irkalla is the queen of what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Enkidu and Gilgamesh are preparing to leave to battle Humbaba, no one offers advice to Enkidu. Ninsun cautions Enkidu to look after her son and see him back safely. The elders and townspeople do not seem worried about Enkidu's welfare or chances of survival. How do you interpret this scene? Is Enkidu ignored because the people are confident in his ability? Or would counseling Enkidu detract from the importance of Gilgamesh's journey?

Essay Topic 2

Boasts and oaths before battle are common in epics. Gilgamesh offers such a boast before he battles Humbaba. Discuss the elements of the heroic boast. Why are such boasts performed? To what narrative technique are boasts similar?

Essay Topic 3

In Tablet 3, Gilgamesh talks about the fleetness of man's life. In Tablet 7, Enkidu laments that he is dying a disgraceful death instead of on the battlefield. The importance of a man's deeds, how he dies, and the way he is remembered are significant themes to the Epic and other heroic tales. Discuss this theme in relation to Gilgamesh. How do his rash deeds lead to a heroic life and deeds remembered? How do Gilgamesh's actions affect Enkidu's life so that he must die a disgraceful death? Does one man have to sacrifice others in order to gain notoriety for himself?

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This section contains 332 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample